The Heart of the Matter

contrast noun

con·​trast |  \ ˈkän-ˌtrast   \

Definition of contrast (Entry 2 of 2)

1a: juxtaposition of dissimilar elements (such as color, tone, or emotion) in a work of art

b: degree of difference between the lightest and darkest parts of a picture

2a: the difference or degree of difference between things having similar or comparable naturesthe contrast between the two forms of government

b: comparison of similar objects to set off their dissimilar qualitiesBy contrast with newer models, the computer operates slowly.: the state of being so comparedIn contrast to the other estimates, his was very high.

3: a person or thing that exhibits differences when compared with anotherThe gentle girl is a contrast to the arrogant woman.

No person is irrelevant. We all fall somewhere on the relevancy scale…somewhere in the contrast between the two. The contrast is where life happens. To distinguish sound we must experience silence. To feel whole we must know brokenness. To walk in the light we all have to wander in the darkness.

I was settling into my seat (aisle always) as the plane was rapidly filling up. A young black man looked at me and pointed at the window seat. We exchanged pleasantries and when the plane had filled with the exception of the seat between us, I began to bask in the realization that I have the opportunity to sit alone and enjoy the space, the distance. That was when I noticed that someone was being helped down the aisle. There was only one seat left. When the Latina woman stopped beside me, I stood and watched as she was helped into the middle seat.

Once I returned to my seat, I noticed she was trembling and starting to cry. The young man at the window and I exchanged a glance and the story began to unfold. The woman was totally blind. She had never been on an airplane before but had determined that she was going to visit her family in another state. Every sound, every jolt of movement in the cabin sent waves of fear across her face. As we spoke, a thought occurred to me that I had no idea what this woman was experiencing. So, I took her hand and told her that I was going to join her. Puzzled she asked, “What do you mean?” I shared with her that I had closed my eyes and that I was not going to open them until the airplane reached the cruising altitude and the pilot turned off the seat belt sign. I committed to rejoin her in the darkness once we started our descent. The young man at the window took her other hand and told her he was also going to join us.

I have to admit, having left sight behind at the departure gate, in what seemed like an eternity the intensity of my other senses-touch, smell, sound and weirdly, even taste-were terrifying and exhilarating. When we reached our destination, both the young man and I felt compelled to see this woman to the end and walked her off the plane into the loving arms of a very anxious family who were grateful to see her smiling.

Life is lived in the contrast for those who are willing to wander in it. It is a wondrous and dangerous place. In my own experience, I have come to believe it is most probable where the journey to relevance begins.